Vuulen: Difference between revisions

|specietype = LIZARDPERSON

|speciename = Lizardperson

'''Vuulen''' (singular vuulek), also known as lizardpersons (or simply lizards), are a species of bipedal, scaled humanoids that visually resemble various reptilian species present on '''Earth'''. Being the first intelligent species humanity has encountered (beyond '''[[Plasmaman|plasmamen]]'''), vuulen are one of the most common non-human species present in '''Sol Interplanetary Coalition''' space. Having experienced a massive technological and cultural jump with the colonization of their primary homeworld, '''Sangris''', the vuulen now attempt to navigate their identities and lives as integration efforts see more and more individuals cast aside old values in favor of assimilation into human society.

Lizardperson is an optional species that can be chosen for play in the character creation menu. Customization options include your scale color, eye color, horns, frills, snout, spine, bodily markings, and whether you have digitigrade legs (abnormal; must wear footwraps) or plantigrade legs (normal human legs).

* Has a unique blood type, L, meaning any lizard can perform blood transfusion for another lizard

The past of the vuulen begins on the world of Sangris, where the lizard-people first obtained sentience, having evolved from bipedal, raptor-like creatures known as '''dretheli'''. The warmer than usual planet has a moderately longer day cycle than Earth, which permitted the vuulen to expand and work long hours under the sun. During the night, they would retire to caves or canopies. The world itself is fairly diverse in geography, being primarly mixture of primarily deserts, jungles, savannahs, and tropical regions. The various lizards, once they became capable of organized society and speech, quickly spread out along the landmasses in their search of prey or harvest. It is still exactly unknown for how long this period of primitiveness continued, but the vuulen developed technologically in a fashion similar to mankind. That being said, there were some key differences. First and foremost, vuulen are taller, bulkier, and more agile than humans. This permitted them a level of combat prowess that allowed them to effectively take out medium-sized animals using pack tactics. While shoddy spears and other equipment were eventually made out of stone and similar materials, some also began to make clubs with bits of '''[[plasma]]''' attached to their sides, as the precious mineral was (and still is) bountiful on the planet. Because of the specific environmental conditions required for lizard eggs, settlements quickly developed. Agriculture proved more difficult to foster, due to the warmth of the planet, though unique crops such as '''niiwo''' (a blue fruit with a disk-like core, the surrounding flesh and skin bitter and tart) and '''y’lik''' (hardened wheat that is unideal for dough, though capable of direct consumption) became two of the most prominent crops out of several across the regions that began to civilize.  

Various powers rose and fell as the lizards began to better adopt plasma, stone, copper, and iron. As writing developed and societies became more stable, some even began to experiment with some of the '''bluespace''' crystals that could be found lodged into mountainsides. Because of its instabilities, several incidents would cause destruction or the disappearance of laboratories. By around 2401, the most prominent civilized power was the '''Opsillian Empire''', a plutocratic power that heavily exploited its many plasma mines in the '''Moghes Desert'''. By this point, the vuulen were capable of harnessing the element in their forges and smelteries, also supplementing it in certain weaponry. For example, they used slings that would hail bottles of heated plasma at their foes, or they utilized spears and arrows forged from '''plasmaglass'''. While '''plasteel''' was capable of being produced, it was rare, and the immeasurably tough metal was unideal for crafting weaponry. Instead. it was hammered into awkward, rough plates of armor or shielding. Most of the population worked as farmers or as miners in this age, with various militaries, guilds, and marks of civilization being made. Conflicts regarding security or prosperity continued through this medieval age.

The events of first contact turned violent. Equipped with biosuits and armor-piercing rounds, the diplomatic team failed to make peaceful discourse with the lizard garrison in a small town on the outskirts of the Opsillian Empire. When interaction with alien biology was confirmed to be safe, marine forces were deployed to occupy the town. Thus began a rapid campaign to conquer the planet. Primarily a ground invasion with little naval bombardment from above. specific orders were given to retain as much of the population as possible, and the vuulen stood little chance against the invading force. When news of the invasion reached the public ear, opinion was vastly split. While a naval blockade prevented others from landing on the planet, information leaks were inevitable. The soldiers that sent data back to home networks were quietly discharged or executed for treason, though military command could not afford to impose a communication blackout on the planet, due to the vast area of their campaign.

After about one year of conflict, the planet was effectively subjugated. By this time, communication between the two species was possible, and, after some deliberation, the Board subjugated new, democratic forms of government across the regions. The primary, and greatest authority became known as the '''Opsillian''' '''Republic'''. The vuulen were given few rights and privileges under SIC law, and massive human development of the planet began, as they brought technology, medicine, materials, crops, disease, culture, animals, and more to the planet. More lizards were directed to work in the mines, as the humans quickly understood their potential as workers. They also saw implementation into high-labor jobs where they could be watched. Slavery was common and scarcely regulated, despite the protests of several sympathizing or xenophile groups.

Now, the lizard people exist in an uneasy balance, with their cities having massively developed and integrated with certain human populations, yet still feasibly under the boot of the SIC. While able to exist within its borders and apply for citizenship, the enforcement of their rights, as well as the acceptance of their species, is varied. While lizards are common workers on board most conventional ships, their salaries are often lowered as an exploitation of the uneasy and varied opinions, as well as suffering under a general indifference from most SIC labor groups (which tend to quietly pocket certain donations). In addition, acceptance of the lizard-people is now more common than not among humans, though those who are newer to space can treat them more strangely, if not with hostility.

The average height of a male vuulek sits at about 6'8", whereas women stand at an average height of 6'4", with a significant variation of ~1 foot, depending on the specific climate the lizardperson hails from. Despite the difference in sizes, men and women tend to be of about the same strength. Vague trends indicate men as being slightly stronger while women have slightly more endurance, though the wide variety of heights and builds among the vuulek makes these observations generally null.